1
as in promising
having qualities which inspire hope
economists are offering a hopeful forecast for a healthy economy in the coming year
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in encouraging
pointing toward a happy outcome
in a hopeful response to the ad, several people called to say they'd seen our lost cat
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in candidate
one who seeks an office, honor, position, or award
the three mayoral hopefuls are going to debate on local TV
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of hopeful
Omar Kelly,
Miami Herald,
2 July 2026
In Dearborn, Michigan, Nabeel Mawari, 38, sounded a more hopeful note.
—
ABC News,
2 July 2026
Laura Sirikul,
Forbes.com,
2 July 2026
Politics has also centered on this road where presidents and presidential hopefuls have made key campaign stops and policy rollouts.
—
Salena Zito,
Washington Post,
1 July 2026
See All Example Sentences for hopeful
Adjective
Both experienced growing pains playing as rookies, and the Dolphins are hopeful that the investment made last season will speed up their development in 2026.
—
Omar Kelly,
Miami Herald,
2 July 2026
In Dearborn, Michigan, Nabeel Mawari, 38, sounded a more hopeful note.
—
ABC News,
2 July 2026
Noun
Realizing that a collective effort is crucial, TATA & VAN scout for like-minded hopefuls to share in the dream.
—
Laura Sirikul,
Forbes.com,
2 July 2026
Politics has also centered on this road where presidents and presidential hopefuls have made key campaign stops and policy rollouts.
—
Salena Zito,
Washington Post,
1 July 2026
See All Example Sentences for hopeful
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hopeful
Adjective
-
Methane is widely regarded as one of the most promising fuels for reusable rockets and future interplanetary missions.
-
But since train-and-pray programs are unlikely to close the construction talent gap, three other initiatives are more promising.
Adjective
-
That means encouraging activities that benefit from proximity, such as planning meetings, architecture discussions, design reviews and complex problem-solving.
-
Some encouraging signals suggest the will to close the funding gap may exist.
Noun
-
Under the current system, office holders targeted in a recall are barred from being a candidate to replace themselves in that same election.
-
So did former Gwinnett County School Board Chairman Everton Blair, the only candidate who ran for a full term to also qualify in the special election.
Adjective
-
And for the star pitcher’s part, there seems to be plenty to be optimistic about.
-
Once optimistic about the future of life in America, the show now has a stronger desire to make change.
Adjective
-
That combination of clear skies, dry air and terrain can produce dramatic overnight lows in the 20s and 30s — and in especially favorable setups, even colder readings in localized spots like the one near Kirk, Oregon.
-
Similarly, Sullivan and Hafley appear to have favorable view about Rodriguez’s ability to wear the green dot.
Noun
-
The East's hierarchy is now fluid, with the Sixers emerging as serious contenders, though the Celtics remain a formidable force.
-
If allowed to run, Le Pen is widely seen as a top contender to succeed centrist President Emmanuel Macron in the 2027 election.
Adjective
-
Charlie Carballo Ed Sheeran, who's been rumored to perform at the wedding festivities, made his way to MSG wearing a bright blue suit alongside wife Cherry Seaborn.
-
Work with Your Design Style A color this bright and energetic couldn’t possibly be versatile, too, right?
Adjective
-
At the beach, maybe, at a barbecue or whatever place sets fireworks pinwheeling through your holiday-happy mind.
-
Like many great works of American literature, the book is an unflinching portrait of a seemingly happy family held together by hubris and fear of change.
Cite this Entry
“Hopeful.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hopeful. Accessed 6 Jul. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
